December 13, 2023 Startup Alfa Sense Wins Demo Day and Discusses Experience with IPhD
Alfa Sense’s victory brings the fusion of innovation, socio-environmental commitment, and the determination to turn challenges into impactful opportunities to Demo Day.
Text by Greta Garcia
Photographs by Pedro Amatuzzi
Upon being selected as the grand winners, the team from startup Alfa Sense declares, “The Demo Day was an exhilarating journey for us. Every presentation, every conversation, was an opportunity to learn and grow”. On November 30th, at the conclusion of the first day of the 2nd Photonic and Entrepreneurship Industry Workshop, the final presentation of the four finalist companies of the Demo Day in Photonics Startups Hardware/Chip/New Materials also took place.
The competition, which was part of the Workshop schedule promoted by LIF – UNICAMP in partnership with the IEEE Photonics Society, aimed primarily to provide an opportunity for startups, especially in the field of photonics, to present their business models and compete for incredible prizes: the possibility of mentoring/acceleration by Baita, access to mentors from the USA by the IEEE Photonics Society Industry, and entry to the Ansys Startup Program – Optics and Photonics Bundle by ESSS.
Additionally, the winning team was offered three months’ use of coworking space, digital fabrication laboratories, and tools with technical assistance for equipment use from Mescla at PUC-Campinas, along with participation in the University’s Acceleration Program. Among the startups handpicked to participate in the grand final were: Due Laser, Glass Glass, MKFotônica, and the winning team, Alfa Sense.
The judging panel, comprised of professionals representing the realms of science and business, included prominent figures such as Oswaldo Fernandes (co-founder of Baita Aceleradora), Daniel Renner (chair of the IEEE Photonics Society Industry Engagement Committee), André Marques (partner of the Alpine Group and member of UniAngels), and Thiago Alegre (from Photonicamp, professor in the Department of Applied Physics at Unicamp, and a member of the Brazilian Physics Society, the Brazilian Photonics Society, and the Optical Society of America).
Despite the well-deserved victory, reaching the finals and taking home the prize was no easy feat. Beyond the outstanding performance of other teams, the jury was demanding. “We were delighted to see that our work was chosen, among many other high-level projects, by the judging panel comprising experts from academia and representatives of renowned international entities (…) It was recognition of an intense journey of technological development amidst the pandemic”, declared Alfa Sense in an interview with IPhD.
The project presented by the winners involves developing a disruptive technology for precise methane gas monitoring through light, using an optical, IoT, and multiparameter platform, the startup affirms. According to them, a significant differentiator is how their production is envisioned: “We create our technologies in collaboration with the client, defining solution requirements. This way, we develop and deliver an innovative 100% national solution to the client, thereby adding value to our client, the market, and society as a whole”, they assert.
In addition to their commitment to customers and technological advancement, during the interview, Alfa Sense constantly reinforces their commitment to the environment: “By aligning technology with science, as in our case, we feel we can further assist, benefiting society through enhanced safety and technological advancement, promoting deeper societal transformations, respecting and positively impacting our environment, and even creating new markets”.
Following the victory at the Demo Day, the next steps become clearer for Alfa Sense and its collaborators. The team notes that winning the prize was crucial, a significant step towards internationalizing their advanced solutions: “The win further encourages us to continue innovating in the development of advanced optical solutions in Brazil (…) Winning this high-level international Demo Day was very special for us”.
During the interview, they mention a powerful quote highlighting their commitment to democratizing advanced technology: “Entrepreneurship in Brazil is very, very difficult, but to simultaneously undertake and innovate is an even greater challenge (…) for us, it was recognition of the work of the entire Alfa Sense team and our ability to fulfill our mission to innovate and democratize the use and access to High Technology”.
The Demo Day marks a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship, highlighting the remarkable achievement of Alfa Sense. This victory serves as inspiration for entrepreneurs and innovators, showcasing that it’s possible to turn challenges into opportunities to make a significant impact. It’s a testament to the power of determination, vision, and dedication to turning ideas into action, shaping not only the future of business but also contributing to significant technological and socio-environmental advancements.